How can I recover IMAP notes from an account I deleted and re-added?

Question

Level 1

9 points

How can I recover IMAP notes from an account I deleted and re-added?

I had an IMAP account that would not sync no matter how many times I redid the password. So I removed the account and added it back. This fixed the problem, but it also removed all my IMAP notes attached to that account. (The first time I tried this, it flashed a warning message. I don't think it did the second time. Or else I missed it.)

Regardless... is there any way to retrieve the missing notes? Some of them are quite important. There should be an iCloud backup. If I reset and restore the phone to a date prior to the account removal, will that restore the notes, too? Or is there an easier way?

Thank you.

iPhone 16

Posted on Jun 7, 2025 3:36 PM

Reply

Answer 1

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

234,092 points

Jun 7, 2025 4:09 PM in response to Swiftbow

If you signed out of an IMAP email account and the signed back in again, the notes should still be there. Have you gone into Settings>Apps>Mail, selected the account in question and then checked to see if the Notes switch was turned on? I'm not sure if iCloud would backup notes from a mail account, although I've never tried reinstalling a mail account like that. I have everything synced in iCloud. Otherwise, you may have to contact the mail provider and see if they have a backup of your notes or a way to recover/re-sync your notes.

Reply

Answer 2

Swiftbow Author

Level 1

9 points

Jun 8, 2025 8:10 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

I thought the Notes was toggled on. But I think the Notes are stored locally, not on the server.

I will check though, thank you.

The mail provider is CenturyLink. They're incredibly awful, but switching out of long-used accounts is a pain in the rear.

Reply

Answer 3

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

234,092 points

Jun 9, 2025 7:55 AM in response to Swiftbow

Well, if the notes were only stored locally, they should be in the backup if you haven't made a backup since you lost them. Any backup after that would overwrite the one that would have had the notes before they disappeared. Here is to hoping they were synced with the mail account and all you need to do is turn it back on. Otherwise, it is a good time to review your schedule of backups. I sync my Notes with iCloud and they are available on any of my devices, iPhone, iPad, and Mac. And they are backed up with iCloud.

Reply